Windies all-rounder Roston Chase claims the attacking strategy of the Indian opening batsman Prithvi Shaw made easier for the other teammates.
In the ongoing Hyderabad Test, after Windies were bundled out for 311 runs, Indian opener Prithvi Shaw started with an attacking mindset and completed his half-century in just 39 balls. He stretched his innings to 70 off 53 balls before getting out. His knock helped the hosts to not face any pressure at the beginning.
Prior to the game, Chase said that they had a plan for Shaw, who hit a debutant century in the first Test of the series at Rajkot.
At the end of the day two game of the Hyderabad Test, Chase said about Shaw’s batting, “I think they look up to him to give them that good start and the other guys, more mature guys, just come in and knock it around and look to take ones and twos.
“I just think that was their strategy, to really go hard with the young guy because that is his natural game, and make it easier for the other guys coming in after him. We tried to contain the batsmen. We set more defensive fields and tried to put more pressure back on them after they got the quick start and it paid off for us. But then, we had a few lapses in the field and that really cost it.”
Also read: Sanjay Bangar feels Windies approaches better than Rajkot Test
Earlier on the day, Chase completed his first away century in international cricket after coming to bat on overnight score 98 runs. Chase scored 106 off 189 balls (8 fours and only six) before the opponent pacer Umesh Yadav bowled him. The right-handed batsman pleased with his batting.
Chase said on his batting performance, “As I said before, cricket is played on the field. Even though you might have plans, it might not always work, so we have to go back to the drawing board with those plans again.
“After the first game, I really looked at my batting in both the innings and as I said, I thought that I was trying to over-hit the ball and on these quick outfields, that’s not really called for. You just need to stroke the ball into the gaps and get the ones and twos and put the bad balls away and runs will come that way.
“I really thought about that after the first game and I was pleased with my performance. I wanted to go bigger, it’s never enough runs for the batsman. Umesh (Yadav) got the better of me today but I am still pleased with the century. It is my first century away from home, so it is a special one for me.”
The reserve-keeper Jahmar Hamilton had a hard day at behind the wicket after replacing the injured wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich. Chase felt Hamilton wasn’t really prepared mentally for this as he hasn’t made his international debut yet.
Chase said on Hamilton, “Not being in the game, being on the sidelines, just bringing drinks, he was not really accustomed to the pace of the game. So being rushed to come out there, I guess he wasn’t really prepared mentally. It just probably gave him a quick jump.
“He was keeping in an international game for the first time as well, so probably a little nerves but I know Jahmar, he is a good ‘keeper. I have played a lot of cricket with him – youth cricket, regional cricket. I know he will pick up the slack and turn it his way.”
